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Thank you for your insight, it's quite helpful. I really had to decide b/t a used 5870 or a new GTX 470. I really like to have the warranty, and be the first to use a card. The EVGA 470 was a decent bargain because Tigerdirect now has 12% cashback, so I really paid like $310 for the card. I had free shipping, and it's shipped from Illinois so it will be here on 5/14. If performance is as you say, then I'll be happy with it. I'm really not worried about the heat either, since I'm on an open bench with several fans keeping everything cool.
$310 is a great price for this card.
It's well worth $300 bucks. $360+ not so much.
with an open bench you will be more than happy with this card, and @ 60% fan it really doesn't sound too annoying. (what is annoying is the friggin 9600gso I have in here right now that doesnt have SW fan control... must find my 9800gtx+)
I don't want anyone to misunderstand my post and think I am bashing this card, I do think it is a great card. My only cons were with power/heat and price. Other than that, It's an awesome product.
Luckily for some people.. Nvidia overpriced them which opened up an early yet small buyers market for used cards.
Mainly my post is directed towards someone who is sitting in the hot seat deciding whether or not to put a new 5870 or a new gtx 470 in the cart and pull teh trigger.
and
I don't see why ANYONE would buy a GTX480 ($500+ GTFO with that nonsense there arent any fun game out right now anyway that require more than a 5830 @ $250.. there are some new games on the way but prices will be different then)..
especially when the gtx 470 overclocks amazingly well.. even for me, a guy that doesnt like overclocking GPUs and has limited experience with it because I only do it after an initial install to get an idea of the performance that could be utilized in the future when needed..
I don't feel I should have to overclock a $400 card to be able to comfortable play whatever game is released within the same era.
so yeah, if heat and power draw don't bother ya I'd reccommend a gtx470 if acquired for under msrp